"We've had good two-a-day sessions, maybe the best ever. We've been healthy and are ready to go. We return six starters, but we are still a young team with only two seniors. We open the season Friday with two matches against Liberty and Xavier (OH)."

"Our defense is strong, probably the strength of our team. We have averaged almost 23 digs per game in three scrimmages. Last season we averaged 17 digs per game, so that means six more swings per game which equates to points."

"I think we will be solid with ball control early on, and I believe that will be a strength for our team all season. [Heather] Hughes is probably the best in the conference, and she will be a big bonus for us after returning from a redshirt season last year."

"We have five freshmen, and they have done a good job jumping in and stepping into the speed of practice. With many of our players returning, we didn't want to have to slow down practice for the freshmen, and we haven't had to do that."

"Of the freshmen we have, [Angela] Mooney will probably be the first sub at any of the outside hitting positions. She is a dynamic, strong athlete who will see a lot of court time this season."

"We are a more experienced team this season. In the spring we played 18 matches, with 13 coming against teams that were ranked in the Top 20 during the previous season. We ended the spring 13-5 and played very well."

"Even during the second half of last year's conference season, we played well and pulled off one upset and almost another. Our defense is way better and we are protecting the court."